HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – At least 100 Chick-fil-A fans from Huntsville and
possibly other states are expected to camp out Wednesday night for
their chance at winning free food for a year during the grand opening of the
chain's new location on 6599 U.S. 431 South in Owens Cross Roads.

Campers wait in tents to win free Chick-fil-A for a year in Fort Collins, Co. (Contributed photo)

The new 4,104-square-foot Chick-fil-A, which will open Thursday, has created 75 local jobs under operator Chuck Rice. Chick-fil-A
spokeswoman Cindi Pickett said the fast food chain will likely draw
dozens of visitors 24 hours before the metro Huntsville restaurant opens.

"With many coming from other states, the campers will be fed and
entertained to help them pass the time away as they await the awarding of a
year supply to the first 100 people in line the morning of June 13 -- creating
a tailgate type atmosphere," she said.

Pickett said the first 100 adults who are ages 18 and older with
identification and are in line when the restaurant opens at 6 a.m. will receive
a one-year supply of Chick-fil-A food, or 52 coupons for a chicken sandwich,
medium waffle potato fries and medium drink. The value of the food for 100 customers is nearly
$30,000.

If more than 100 visitors are in line when Chick-fil-A opens, the
restaurant will determine all 100 spots using a raffle Thursday morning. To
learn the First 100 Promotion rules, visit Chick-fil-A's website.

Residents in Wheaton, Ill., set up a living room outside Chick-fil-A as they wait to receive a one-year supply of free food from the restaurant chain. (Contributed photo)

Chick-fil-A started the promotion in Arizona 10 years ago, and has
given away more than $18 million in free food at about 700 grand openings
across the U.S. during the past decade. Pickett said about $2.5 million will be
distributed this year at 102 grand openings.

The new Chick-fil-A in Owens Cross Roads is the 69th
restaurant to open in Alabama and the second to open this year. Chick-fil-A
operates six other locations in metro Huntsville since the first restaurant
opened in Huntsville in November 1976 at Parkway Place.

The new Heritage design includes a large community
table, digital community board, meal delivery track system for the rear
drive-thru, divided counter spacing and two drive-thru lanes.

The restaurant, which will offer free Wi-Fi, will have 100 indoor and 24 outdoor seats. The fast-food chain will be open
from 6 a.m-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and
Saturday.